Networks don't select candidates for the debates on their own, the parties at the main drivers; the DNC drove the single-tier big-stage setup for it's 2020 debates, including the ability to qualify by number of unique donors; the RNC drove the qualifications for, and two-tier “grown ups” vs. “kids table” format for it's 2016 debates.

I thought traditionally it was polling numbers. But maybe that was just the RNC clown car from 2016...

The DNC is using two criteria for qualifying for the debates. One is the traditional polling above 1% in three separate recognized polls. The other is a minimum number of donors (65k), with a minimum of 200 in each of 20 different states.

Meeting either criteria qualifies a candidate for the debate, and should the field of qualifying candidates grow to more than twenty (gods forbid) priority is given to candidates that meet both and then by polling average.

65k donors doesn't seem like a lot especially since there's no minimum contribution. So raising $65,000 can put you on the DNC debate stage regardless of how you poll?

A GoFundMe could raise more than that.

How easy do you imagine it is to get that many people to put their name on a list saying they want you for president?

Exponentially easier than polling 1% nationally.

The comparison was to a random GoFundMe, not national polling. Besides, the field is limited to 20. A candidate may still have to meet the polling threshold depending on how the field does.

Polling numbers are great for a field of a half-dozen candidates, but much harder for a field of 20, where the average is 5%. How can you even trust the polls then?

As a Democrat, I'm okay with showing a minimum number of individual donors. It shows real interest in the candidate.

> the RNC clown car from 2016

As opposed to the DNC clown car from 2016 where everything about the primaries was pre-cooked by DNC insiders and their media helpers?

I don't understand how any rational person can claim moral high ground for either party.

> where everything about the primaries was pre-cooked

One, maybe two things, ISTR, no?

There was no realistic chance that Bernie is any other candidate was going to get the nomination at the convention once the superdelegates were pinned down.

That was settled well before the primaries were done, so if that's just one thing, it's enough. You don't even need to get to "two things" like previewing questions with the media for the debates, or purging dissenters from the DNC leadership, for example.

ISTR one of the things was, "Hillary will win."